West Sussex Parent Carer Forum

24/06/2026

Join our relaxed Chat and Chill coffee morning on Friday, 10th July ☕

Our Chat & Chills are FREE drop-in sessions where you can relax, share experiences and feel supported all whilst enjoying your first drink on us, in a welcoming space.

Here’s what some parent carers said after attending previous sessions:

⭐ “This was so needed for me today and has really filled my cup.”
⭐ “It’s nice to talk to other people who get it.”

📅Friday 10th July
🕙10:00am - 12:00pm
📍Bay Cafe at SAND, 1 Thorn Road, Worthing, BN11 3ND

No need to book, just drop in for as long or as little as you can.

We're looking forward to seeing you. 😊

23/06/2026

Join us this Thursday for our next Find It Out session - How to work positively with your child or young person's setting.

We had some excellent feedback from our last session!

Join us online via MS Teams for an informative and practical session exploring how Parent Carers and schools/colleges can work together to support children and young people.

Jane Crawford from West Sussex County Council's Autism and Social Communication Team will be in attendance.

During the session we will:
💫Explore and understand the basic principles of successful collaboration between families and settings.

💫Learn what co-production is.

💫Explore real-life examples of working together at both an individual and setting level, and how Parent Carer voices can influence positive change.

💫Learn effective ways to communicate and build strong relationships with setting staff.

💫Discover resources and support available across West Sussex to help Parent Carers participate in co-production and partnership working.

💫Gain practical tips to help ensure your child's/young persons needs and views are heard and understood.

📅 Thursday 25th June
⏲️ Between 10:30am - 11:30am
💻 Online via MS Teams

To join book here ➡ https://forms.cloud.microsoft/e/CRtU0fd8dP

For more events, see our events calendar here: https://www.wspcf.org.uk/events/

22/06/2026

Deafblind Awareness Week 2026 - 22 - 28 June 2026.

More than 450,000 people in the UK are living with deafblindness, yet too often the focus is on the challenges they face rather than their strengths and abilities.

This Deafblind Awareness Week, lets celebrate the unique skills, talents and contributions of deafblind people, and help to raise awareness, understanding and inclusion.

19/06/2026

Recently, we delivered our Body Budget session to over 80 colleagues from the West Sussex County Council SEN Assessment Team.

The session explored how the pressures we all carry can affect communication, relationships and interactions. It encouraged everyone to pause, reflect and consider what others might be carrying too.

We received some great feedback, with many saying the session helped them think differently about communication and the importance of understanding lived experiences.

Thank you to the team for their openness, engagement and willingness to reflect. 💜

If you’d like to chat about working with us, send us a message or email [email protected].
You can find out more, read useful resources and guides and join us as either a parent carer or professional member at https://www.wspcf.org.uk/

18/06/2026

This week, Lindsey hosted a Chat & Chill coffee morning at the Arun Best Start Family Hub - West Hub, providing a safe and welcoming space for parent carers to share their lived experiences of raising children and young people with SEND.

The discussion prompted thoughtful conversations about our own childhoods and how they shape our parenting today. Parent carers spoke about the value of our events, emphasising the benefits of peer-to-peer support, building connections, and sharing a space with others who simply "get it."

This quote beautifully captures why our Chat & Chill sessions matter:

'When I come to these sessions, I feel a bit stronger'

17/06/2026

17/06/2026

Coming up next week! Find It Out - How to work positively with your child or young person's setting.

Join us online via MS Teams for an informative and practical session exploring how Parent Carers and schools/colleges can work together to support children and young people.

Jane Crawford from West Sussex County Council's Autism and Social Communication Team will be in attendance.

During the session we will:
💫Explore and understand the basic principles of successful collaboration between families and settings.

💫Learn what co-production is.

💫Explore real-life examples of working together at both an individual and setting level, and how Parent Carer voices can influence positive change.

💫Learn effective ways to communicate and build strong relationships with setting staff.

💫Discover resources and support available across West Sussex to help Parent Carers participate in co-production and partnership working.

💫Gain practical tips to help ensure your child's/young persons needs and views are heard and understood.

📅 Thursday 25th June
⏲️ Between 10:30am - 11:30am
💻 Online via MS Teams

To join book here ➡ https://forms.cloud.microsoft/e/CRtU0fd8dP

For more events, see our events calendar here: https://www.wspcf.org.uk/events/

15/06/2026

We're proud to support Learning Disability Week and the campaign, celebrating the strengths, talents and contributions of people with learning disabilities and promoting inclusion in our communities.

15/06/2026

Join us tomorrow for our Bognor Chat and Chill coffee morning☕💛

A relaxed and welcoming space for parent carers to take some time out, enjoy a hot drink and connect with others who just 'get it'.

📆 Tuesday 16th June
🕧 9:30 – 11:30am
📍 Arun West Family Hub, Laburnum Grove, Bognor Regis, PO22 9HT

Come along for a chat, a cuppa and some well-deserved time for you - we’d love to see you there.

Keep up to date with all our events here: https://www.wspcf.org.uk/our-events/

14/06/2026

We’re pleased to be joining Phillip Watford from Renaissance Legal for a FREE webinar on Planning for the Future with Wills & Trusts.

This informative session will cover key points parent carers may want to consider when planning ahead, with plenty of helpful guidance and the opportunity to ask questions in a supportive environment.

We’d love you to join us!

📅 Wednesday 15th July ⏲️ 10am 💻 Online via MS Teams

To book your place contact: https://renaissancelegal.co.uk/